Edward Wright Festival can have positive impact

Prior to the arrival of a growing number of Hispanic immigrants during the past several years, Athens' cultural mosaic has been mostly black and white.

A handful of international students at the University of Georgia provided a hint of diversity, but even then, there was little interaction with the community.

And until the desegregation of the South in the '60s, there were some who tried to pretend the part of Athens that was black didn't exist, or at the very least, should remain in the shadows.

Thankfully, times have changed and African-Americans have made tremendous strides toward achieving the equality they deserve in all walks of life.

Over the past three decades, the contributions of African-Americans has come to be more fully appreciated in Athens and elsewhere. But aside from Black History Month and similar observances, there have been few events that focus on celebrating black culture and on sharing it with the rest of the community.

That could change this weekend if the organizers of the Edward Wright Memorial Afrocentric Festival achieve their stated objective of holding a cultural showcase in downtown Athens.

Sponsors of the event named in honor of a young black man who died in a confrontation with police in 1995 say they want an event that will bring people of all colors together to enjoy fellowship, food, music and art created by African-Americans.

Supporters of the festival say they want the event to be as inclusive as possible. They have attempted to allay concerns that the event will turn political and result in more divisiveness, rather than in bringing people together.

We hope those fears are unfounded and that people of all races and backgrounds will feel welcome at Saturday's festival.

With the right kind of guidance, the festival can mark the beginning of a more meaningful dialogue among those of different racial and ethnic origins in Athens.